The trade groups representings both independents and chains object to a proposed class settlement with First DataBank, which publishes prescription drug prices, according to the Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report*. The publisher was accused of illegally conspiring to raise markups between what pharmacies pay wholesalers and reimbursement paid to pharmacies by health plans and insurers.

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association, which aren’t parties to the case, say the proposed deal will drastically alter the marketplace. “It took a very, very wrong-headed proposal for NCPA and PCMA to unite in opposition,” John Rector, the NCPA’s general counsel and senior vice president for government affairs, told the site. The trade group claims the settlement will force many mom-and-pops out of business or make drastic service reductions, which would hurt consumers, especially in under-served low income or rural areas where chains are few, the news service writes. (Here’s the NCPA brief).

Besides First DataBank, the settlement involves Medi-Span, another publisher of prescription drug prices. As part of the deal, First DataBank agreed to reduce its published prices on 95 percent of branded drugs sold at retail in the US. A hearing is scheduled in federal court in Boston on Jan. 22.

* - subscription is required